100 Million Reasons to Leave
The developments out of Washington Redskins camp are increasingly bizarre. Mega star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, of multiple past behavioral issues, is up to his usual tricks.
In recent weeks, Haynesworth, who is entering the second of a 7 year, $100 million free agent contract with Washington, has expressed his displeasure with new coach Mike Shanahan's 3-4 defensive scheme. Haynesworth either (a) has a short memory or (b) doesn't give a rip about his team. Shanahan, if you remember, had great success using a 3-4 in Denver, winning two Super Bowls and frequently going to the postseason. So Haynesworth either forgot about Shanahan's track record and we should give him a reprieve, or he really only cares about getting his.
So far, Haynesworth has held out of all team workouts--most of them mandatory--in expressing his attitude toward a defensive scheme that will probably hurt him statistically. This is something that you're probably not happy about as an overpowering defensive tackle who eats offensive linemen up, but its also not something you fuss and hold out over. Haynesworth is so utterly wrapped up in his own success and numbers that he's willing to go to the great length of not playing in order to get his way.
In Washington's previous scheme, a 4-3, there are four down linemen and three linebackers. The more guys on the line, the better the chance of getting a one-on-one against a bigger, slower offensive lineman, and the better the chance of racking up big sack and tackle totals. In a 3-4, there are only 3 linemen up against five or six. There are two defensive ends bookmarking a single defensive tackle, who, when really good, will likely face constant double teams. With one less defender on the line, the offensive line can afford to allocate another blocker to contain a dangerous tackle. For more on the differences between the two schemes, click here. Here is a link to a blog from January that now looks prophetic.
Most of us left this behavior with our bowls of macaroni and cheese back at age 8, but Haynesworth apparently isn't finished acting like a child yet. The problem is, he's making big boy money. Washington said on Tuesday that the situation is so dire that they will seek to recoup the $21 million signing bonus they gave Haynesworth last year. Don't be surprised if they meet Haynesworth's request and work to trade their star lineman soon after.
The reason this case is somewhat atypical can be discovered by saying it out loud. A player is not playing because he doesn't like how his team's strategy. Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols would not stop playing if their teams decided that their new strategy was to have every batter bunt for base hits. Steve Nash doesn't refuse to play if his coach decides that he's not going to let his perimeter players shoot. Players don't quit when the strategy changes. They express distaste for the change, and maybe even demand a trade, but rarely does it amount to anything beyond that. Albert Haynesworth is jeopardizing his relationship with his team over a decline in his personal stats. No mention of the team, no expression of how it will effect everybody else. Just a concern for himself.
Sometimes these situations blow over without any real repercussions and the team salvages its chemistry and performance. This situation hasn't even played out yet, and I can tell from a mile away that there is no going back for either party. It doesn't matter how dominant Haynesworth is, the Redskins cannot afford such selfishness to pass through the locker room doors. He could end his hold out, throw on his jersey, and miraculously throw up 50 sacks this season and it still wouldn't be worth it. When selfishness is present, the outcome is always bad for the team. Period. This is why they have to trade him.
In the ultimate team game, Haynesworth is exercising the most individuality that he can. His actions imply that he cares about petty statistics and his legacy more than the success of his team. We hear speculation all the time that this is true of some players, but in this case, we already know its true.
